eye primer
eyeshadow primer

Whichever you choose, an eye primer is a necessary first step.

Couture Eye Primer ($30) underneath the eyeshadows made the colors last all night.

Eye primers aid in the smooth application of eye shadow, prevent it from accumulating in eyelid creases, and improve its longevity.

“I’ve been wearing makeup every day since I was a teenager, but didn’t start wearing eye primer until a few years ago when my makeup-artist friend pointed out that my eye makeup looked worn and suggested I use one,” Ms. Filosa said.

I rim my eyes with a kohl pencil from Lancôme and then smack myself for not putting an eyeshadow primer on first.

Plus there's a month's worth of Eyeshadow Primer Potion for crease-free staying power, included for free.

She uses Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($20), which she believes makes her eye shadow go on smoother and keeps her from having to touch it up throughout her long workday.

Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion (£11.50, available in the first week of March from boots.com) is a remarkably resilient liquid shadow that you can wear alone (it’s a flattering pearly shade) or under make-up to prolong wear.

Try Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($24) when doing a subtle wash of color and a tinted cream shadow, like Laura Mercier's Caviar Stick ($28) as a primer for a more intense smoky eye.

We're also revved up by the packaging of Crushed Botanicals' Mineral Makeup Road Trip Starter Kit, which features miniature mineral foundation, powder, eyeshadow primer and eyeshadow in a container labeled with a carefree '50s-looking woman behind the wheel of a convertible.

"For any smoky eye application, I would start with an eyeshadow primer for long wear, to prevent creasing, and to prevent shadow residue from dropping on upper cheek bones or under eyes," says Andréa Tiller, the woman behind Amy Schumer's Emmy Awards smoky eye.